Mother’s Day is deceivingly simple: No matter what you do, nothing compares with what she’s already given you, but she’ll still adore it. There is always a way to elevate the day and make it more special: breaking out the nice china (and offering to wash it), making dinner yourself, popping open a bottle of bubbles or mixing up an elegant cocktail.
How about combining all of those? There’s no better way to spritz up a celebration than a sparkling wine cocktail, believes author Elva Ramirez. During the gloomy days of COVID-19 lockdowns, Ramirez sensed that, once the pandemic subsided, people were going to seize the moment, get together and celebrate as much as they could.
“We’re in a wonderful moment of celebration right now,” says Ramirez. “Over the last few years, going back further than the pandemic, people have been rethinking celebration in terms of making it more accessible. Celebrations will still be weddings and graduations, but celebration can just be a moment like a nice Sunday night with your friends. Making those moments special is an accessible luxury.”
Ramirez’s just-released cocktail book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion, features 75 recipes using sparkling wine. Showing how versatile Champagne, Cava, Lambrusco and other bubblies can be, these drinks meld sparklers with fruitier and zingingly sour flavors as well as the sophisticated and savory. Everyone knows the classics, like the Aperol Spritz or the French 75, but Ramirez tapped into her connections with bartenders from leading cocktail programs for creative, innovative drinks using different spirits, from gin to tequila.
Mother’s Day can be celebrated any number of ways—from easygoing brunches to evening soirées to relaxed one-on-one time with mom—so Ramirez selected two cocktails that could work for any occasion. For a larger family group, make the Studio 75: a punch inspired by the French 75 but laced with spiced pear liqueur and anise pods to create a refreshing but mellow and mature tipple. For an easy sipper, try the Instant Crush, Ramirez’s take on Ranch Water (a beloved Texas thirst-quencher that’s simply tequila, sparkling water and lime). Her version uses yuzu liqueur and yuzu soda, with the Japanese citrus bringing more zip than lime alone and making a great accent to an array of sparkling wines.
When selecting a sparkler, Ramirez stresses that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get good quality. “You can do quite well with something that costs around $10 to $15; you can even get lovely French sparkling wine,” says Ramirez. “But before you start making your cocktails, buy one or two different bottles and taste them on their own.”
For the fizz in these drinks, Wine Spectator’s editors chose 12 special sparkling wines, all under $35, to add a bit more flair. From cava and crémant to Prosecco and Franciacorta to classic-method brut from California and Long Island, these bubblies will make mom smile even wider.
Studio 75
Recipe excerpted with permission from Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion by Elva Ramirez © 2024. Published by Union Square & Co.
Ingredients
- 18 ounces Fords gin (or other London Dry Gin)
- 9 ounces St. George spiced pear liqueur
- 9 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 12 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 750ml bottle chilled Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne (or other brut sparkling wine)
- 2 pears, thinly sliced, for garnish
- 1/2 cup star anise pods, for garnish
Preparation
1. In a pitcher or large container filled with large ice cubes (see note), combine the gin, pear liqueur, lemon juice and bitters. Stir to combine, then add the entire bottle of Champagne. Add a handful of pear slices to the mixture, reserving the majority for garnish. Serve the punch in coupes or punch glasses, garnishing each with a pear slice and a star anise pod. Serves 15–20.
Note: If you only have small serving containers, mix the entire batch in a large, heavy soup pot, then transfer to small decorative serving containers, such as glass bottles or pitchers.
Instant Crush
Recipe excerpted with permission from Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion by Elva Ramirez © 2024. Published by Union Square & Co.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila, such as Espolon
- 1/2 ounce Yuzuri yuzu liqueur
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces chilled sparkling wine
- 2 ounces chilled Fever-Tree Sparkling Lime & Yuzu soda
- Lime wheel, for garnish
Preparation
1. In a highball glass filled with ice, combine the tequila, Yuzuri and simple syrup. Stir briskly to combine; add more ice, if needed. Slowly add the sparkling wine, then add the lime-yuzu soda. Garnish with the lime wheel. Serve with the bottle of Fever-Tree on the side so your guest can top off their drink. Serves 1.
12 Spectacular Sparkling Wines for Cocktails
Note: The following list is a selection of outstanding and very good wines from recently rated releases. More options can be found in our Wine Ratings Search here.
Josep Maria Raventós i Blanc
Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Vino Espumoso 2022
Score: 91 | $25
WS Review: This vibrant sparkler is sleek and minerally, with fine mousse carrying a well-meshed range of delicate poached pear, persimmon, lemon curd, beeswax and white blossom notes. Xarel-lo, Macabeu, Parellada and Malvasia de Sitges. Disgorged March 2024. Drink now through 2027. 17,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported.—Alison Napjus
Schramsberg
Brut California Mirabelle NV
Score: 91 | $31
WS Review: Plush and generous, with refined pear and cherry flavors accented with yeast roll and hazelnut as this glides on the silky finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now. 4,773 cases made.—Tim Fish
Paula Kornell
Brut California NV
Score: 90 | $22
WS Review: Expressive and vivacious, showing pretty apple and lime flavors laced with notes of vanilla and spices before finishing on a zesty accent. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now. 20,000 cases made.—T.F.
Domaine Chandon
Blanc de Pinot Noir California NV
Score: 90 | $26
WS Review: Upfront and fan-friendly, this version offers plump strawberry and cherry flavors laced with toasty spices. Drink now. 11,000 cases made.—T.F.
Masottina
Brut Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore RDO Rive di Ogliano Ponente 2022
Score: 90 | $30
WS Review: This is creamy on the palate, enlivened by a fine mousse that carries notes of red apple, Marcona almond and persimmon, plus mineral hints of saline and petrol. Long and fresh on the finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 4,750 cases imported.—A.N.
Fratelli Muratori
Brut Franciacorta NV
Score: 90 | $34
WS Review: This bright sparkler is light on its feet, with a refined bead and mouthwatering acidity. Shows a delicate weave of grainy pear, grated ginger, pink grapefruit zest and slivered almond flavors. Floral finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now. 11,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported.—A.N.
Ruggeri & C.
Brut Prosecco Treviso Argeo NV
Score: 89 | $17
WS Review: Bright and balanced, showing a zesty underpinning of candied pink grapefruit to the notes of nectarine, melon and almond blossoms, ending with a crisp, spiced finish. Drink now. 41,666 cases made, 7,000 cases imported.—A.N.
Korbel
Natural Russian River Valley 2019
Score: 89 | $18
WS Review: A festive wine, with lively lemon and strawberry flavors highlighted by sweet spices. Drink now. 10,400 cases made.—T.F.
Jean-Claude Mas
Brut Crémant de Limoux Côte Mas NV
Score: 89 | $21
WS Review: A tasty sparkler, with nice weight to the ripe apple and marzipan profile. Creamy and energetic on the palate, with a spine of chalky minerality and bitter-edged acidity. Gains depth from notes of pastry crust and blanched almond. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir and Mauzac. Drink now. 16,000 cases made, 2,500 cases imported.—Kristen Bieler
Sparkling Pointe
Brut North Fork of Long Island 2019
Score: 89 | $31
WS Review: This lush, mouthfilling sparkler is more fruit- than earth-driven, with warm apple and toasty brioche cut with lemony acidity. It leans into the off-dry profile, with a chalky mineral and saline streak keeping this fresh. The finish is clean, with hints of nuttiness and flowers. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2027. 2,938 cases made.—K.B.
Lucien Albrecht
Brut Crémant d’Alsace NV
Score: 88 | $23
WS Review: This high-toned sparkler shows a lot of floral charm and brightness. Apple blossom and juicy lemon notes merge with Honeycrisp apple and white tea on a lithe, energetic and creamy palate, while a bitter kick of mineral on the finish adds contrast. Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois. Drink now. 10,000 cases imported.—K.B.
Heretat Mestres
Brut Nature Cava Coquet Gran Reserva 2018
Score: 88 | $29
WS Review: This lively sparkler is broad and creamy on the palate, focused by tangy orange peel acidity and a streak of salinity—a vibrant frame for the rich flavor range of peach tart, pastry cream, lemon curd, chopped nuts and a hint of Grand Marnier liqueur on the finish. Disgorged December 2022. Drink now. 9,000 cases made, 5,483 cases imported.—A.N.
